Buona Pasqua?

This has by far been the strangest Easter I have ever experienced. We were forced to catch the 5:30am number 40 bus to San Pietro (Saint Peter's Basilica... You know, the most famous church in the WORLD? Yah, be impressed) in order to get in line for some choice seats for Mass. "Bono Pasqua," or "Happy Easter" I said to my sleepy eyed friends... Daylight had not yet shown its face in Rome, but the city was so peaceful that it was perfectly fitting for Easter Sunday. Little did I know, Easter didn't necessarily equal "peace" for those who were in desperate need of hearing Pope Benedict. Here's a fact for you: Nuns can push and shove when they need to. Here's another: Just because a guy is wearing a brown friar robe doesn't mean he won't reach into your pocket and try to steal your belongings, as my friend Jarrett discovered. Friends, once they opened the gates to San Pietro, it was literally a mob scene. There was no mercy shown on this holy day when we observe Christ's resurrection. I can laugh at it now, but I was pretty freaked out in the moment.
The actual service started at 10:30am, so friends played "MASH" (adding "V" for Vatican as an option), and ate bread and cheese for bread and cheese for breakfast.
We were pretty close to where the Pope sat too. Too bad I didn't know Italian OR Latin, otherwise I'm sure I would have enjoyed the service a little more. Also would have enjoyed it a little more if it was more about Jesus and less about Pope Benedict. Don't get me wrong; the Pope is an amazing figure head for the Church... But did HE die for our sins and conquer death? I think no. People were cheering and chanting for the Pope, and snapping pictures left and right... "Benedicto, Benedicto!" Clap clap clap-clap-clap. I just didn't feel the joy and hope that IS Easter... But don't get me wrong, it was a really fun and interesting cultural experience that I will never forget.
BUONA PASQUA A TUTTI!